Archives

The Lowdown

Just over a month ago, Google announced Material Design – a triumph of striking interface design and programming acumen. Yesterday, Google’s logo received it’s first real update in 16 years. So what’s it all in aid of? And where does design come in?

The idea behind Material Design is to create a range of interface rules – rather similar to brand guidelines, for anyone familiar – that will dictate the look and feel of all Google’s applications, websites and other designed literature. Where complex, convoluted or inconsistent pages may have been before, Material Design replaces them all with a simpler and more attractive user experience.

If you’re not familiar with user interface design, if you own a computer, tablet or smartphone, you’ve been exposed to a user interface of some sort. That instantly-recognisable grid of apps on your iPhone? The result of a comprehensive user interface design process. Everything on your device’s screen has been designed by someone, from the keyboard layout to where the battery indicator is positioned.

Interface design isn’t just for apps… your website will benefit from a consistent and clear design language, too. It doesn’t need to be complex – quite the opposite. Something as simple as making sure the links on the website are the same colour gives a clear hint to the user: this colour can be clicked to see more. Using a variant font for headings: this text is important, read it first.

If you’re looking to enhance or improve the usability of your website, app or software interface, contact us and we’d be happy to discuss how we can help. If you’re interested to learn more about the specifics of the Google Material Design language, visit the Google Design website.